KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The City of Keene is warning residents and businesses about fraudulent payment requests from scammers posing as city officials.

The messages may appear to be legitimate city communications and could include requests for payment or instructions to transfer money. Anyone who receives an unexpected invoice or payment request claiming to come from the city should take steps to confirm its authenticity before sending money.

City officials recommend carefully checking the sender’s full email address rather than relying on the name displayed in the message. Recipients should also be wary of requests involving wire transfers or changes to payment instructions.

To verify a questionable request, residents and businesses should contact the city department they normally deal with using a phone number they already have or have independently confirmed. They should not use phone numbers or other contact details included in a suspicious message.

Anyone who receives a communication that appears to be from the City of Keene but seems unusual or suspicious is encouraged to contact the appropriate city office directly before responding or making a payment.